Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used in surgeries as an anesthetic and prescribed for pain relief afterwards. It is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 50 times more potent than heroin. It is highly addictive and dangerous. Acryl fentanyl is a designer drug with no medical benefits, unlike fentanyl.

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Pharmaceutical fentanyl is available as an oral lozenge (often referred to as a fentanyl lollipop), a tablet, a nasal spray, an injection, and a transdermal patch.

Fentanyl sold on the street is primarily sold in a white powder form. It is often mixed with other drugs such as heroin and cocaine in order to obtain the “ultimate high”.

Fentanyl can be taken orally, injected, smoked, and snorted.

Fentanyl induces euphoria, relieves pain, and relaxes users. It also has multiple undesirable short-term effects, causing nausea, vertigo, disorientation, difficulty urinating, and respiratory depression.

Fentanyl is one of the most powerful and high-risk opioids on the market. Though it is often used in medical settings to treat patients during and after surgery, fentanyl is frequently misused. It was responsible for 700 overdose deaths in 2014, most likely because it is difficult to determine what dosage will cause a fatal impact. Individuals also often take fentanyl and heroin together, intentionally or otherwise, increasing their risk of overdose. Fentanyl’s ability to absorb into the skin poses additional danger to law enforcement officers when the drug becomes airborne.

Repeated fentanyl misuse can lead to drug addiction and health problems, including:

• Depression
• Cardiac disorders
• Weakened immune system
• Anxiety
• Brain damage
• Gastrointestinal distress

Habitual fentanyl abuse impacts the brain and can cause addiction. This chronic disease is recognizable by observing the following symptoms:

Psychological Symptoms

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Trouble concentrating

Physical Signs

• Tiny pupils
• Weight loss
• Slurred speech
• Swollen hands and feet

When an individual takes a toxic amount of fentanyl or combines it with other drugs or alcohol, they can experience an overdose. Because drugs affect everyone differently, it is impossible to determine what dosage or combination has this effect.

• Seizures
• Extreme fatigue
• Severe confusion
• Difficulty swallowing
• Cardiac arrest
• Unconsciousness
• Respiratory arrest
• Dizziness and fainting

Due to the increasing number of fentanyl-related overdoses, many individuals are beginning to carry naloxone, a medicine designed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Unfortunately, due to the potency of fentanyl, naloxone is not always successful at reviving those who have overdosed on the drug.

Because opioid overdoses are particularly dangerous, individuals who overdose on them require immediate medical attention, even if they have been revived with naloxone.

Fentanyl Detox

Detox is a critical first step in recovering from fentanyl addiction because it allows the body to eliminate any toxic substances. Due to the extreme cravings that may occur, it is vital that individuals struggling with fentanyl addiction detox under the supervision of a health professional. In some cases, doctors may prescribe addiction fighting medication to help the individual taper off fentanyl, as well as medicines to help manage withdrawal symptoms that arise.

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Stomach cramps
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• High blood pressure

While detox rids the body of hazardous chemicals, it does not completely treat the other aspects of fentanyl addiction. Because of this, it is important that once the body has been stabilized, individuals follow a comprehensive treatment plan that includes drug counseling, which addresses the psychological impact of the disease. Treatments available for fentanyl addiction include inpatient/residential and outpatient.